Rocket Nut - 17/12/2005 10:53 PMI hate those long launch windows...I have spent many hours waiting for the end of a launch window here at the Cape, knowing that they were never going to make it. Still couldn't go home...had to wait them out. I wouldn't want to miss the 2 or 3 minutes of excitement during a live launch.I've waited for hours for a launch that disappeared into low clouds within 20 seconds...still wouldn't miss it!!Cheers,Larry
Chris Bergin - 17/12/2005 6:37 PMSpace flight is that important.
Mark Max Q - 18/12/2005 3:22 AMYou really come out with some stiring comments, Chris. Ever wanted to be a Columnist? I bet you could have a write off with Derbyshire and knock him out
Super George - 18/12/2005 7:27 PMBig launch window! At least with the 30 percent chance of rain, they've got plenty of opportunities.
braddock - 19/12/2005 12:28 PMElon's brother is blogging this launch attempt again live from SpaceX control on the atoll. He was an excellent source of information at the last launch, and also has some great background about life in Kwajalein.http://kwajrockets.blogspot.com/
braddock - 19/12/2005 6:36 AMThe scattered showers that were promised have moved over the island. Forcast for tomorrow remains the same as the current conditions: Variably cloudy with 30% chance of showers, high 87F, ENE-ESE 12-18 knots with higher gusts near showers. By the looks of the radar ( http://www.rts-wx.com/ ), there may be some waiting for a clear window.
Avron - 19/12/2005 5:09 PMCurrent ConditionsTemp: 79.7 deg;F (26.5 deg;CHumidity: 86%Dew Point: 75.4deg;F (24.1deg;C)Wind: ENE at 20 MPHSky: overcastWeather: light rain showersAre we still good to go?
Super George - 19/12/2005 5:55 PMWhat time are you looking to start full coverage?
braddock - 19/12/2005 6:38 PM(sorry, missed the amount in first stage tank).
braddock - 19/12/2005 1:37 PMWe are live and online now. I am live on the SpaceX phone link. They appear to have made great improvemetns in the link....in fact they have hooks us up direct to an audio feed from Kwajalein control. Currently they are doing checklists."Current status on fueld load. Second stage launch is roughly xx full. First stage tank is roughly 40% full. Winds are up to 24 knots".
braddock - 19/12/2005 1:42 PMNear-live picture of the Falcon I on the pad.
Avron - 19/12/2005 1:12 PMWhats the requirement to come out of the Hold, 24Kts or is there issues still at high altitude?
braddock - 19/12/2005 7:36 PMWe are waiting for final information from SpaceX, possibly a Q&A.Also, while folks are here, you can submit questions to be sent to SpaceX VP of Development Ops on teh forum. We will take the best 10 questions and submit them to SpaceX to be answered in the next few weeks.Post your questions to: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1051&posts=9
Andy L - 19/12/2005 1:43 PMDamn, but would like to say thanks for the update thread again, this was again the best out of the bunch.
Andy L - 19/12/2005 2:43 PMDamn, but would like to say thanks for the update thread again, this was again the best out of the bunch.
MikkelR - 19/12/2005 8:03 PM i hope you will do the same thing in the next launch window
Avron - 19/12/2005 8:02 PMDo we know when the range opens again? I have a feeling this fix will be quick..
Chris Bergin - 19/12/2005 3:05 PMQuoteMikkelR - 19/12/2005 8:03 PM i hope you will do the same thing in the next launch window For sure We've got an even better plan for the Shuttle launches. Ambitious, but if we can pull it off, it'll work for everyone.
braddock - 19/12/2005 3:23 PMSpaceX has posted a really nice maiden flight backgrounder, with great pictures, flight and pre-flight timelines, and more details.PDF file at: http://www.spacex.com/Maiden_Flight_Overview.pdf
Chris Bergin - 19/12/2005 3:40 PMNo official reason and the conference call has now ended.
Chris Bergin - 19/12/2005 3:32 PMTerry - I'd soon see them have a few scrubs on the pad to help them learn more about their rocket, than I would for them to launch first time and suffer a loss of vehicle.
Chris Bergin - 19/12/2005 4:50 PMInstead of a launch control full of talented and experienced techs and engineers, with vast resources and experience to hand, they are trying to do this with a handful of people and resources in comparision.Not only that, but they are aiming for heavy lift, really heavy lift, which then goes past launching satelittes into LEO, into the range of potential Lunar services.
Orbiter Obvious - 19/12/2005 11:02 PMAny news yet on the structural failure?
Davros - 19/12/2005 8:16 PMOh my, that's serious.
Jamie Young - 19/12/2005 7:56 PMFaulty pressurization valve? They don't seem to be lucky with their valves.
braddock - 20/12/2005 5:33 AMImagine the horrified faces in control if the tank deformation was severe enough to be visible on the video...I can't think how else they would have identified a "structural issue"...does anyone with more experience know if they would have seen other indications first?Would they be likely to have strain sensors installed?If they had seen vaccuum on a pressure sensor in the tank I would think they could have stopped the pumps in time? Seems to me that current to the pump would be out of spec too as it started straining? Are these things normally instrumented and monitored?REMINDER: We'll be sending some reader submitted questions to SpaceX's VP of Development Ops to answer via e-mail. Ask your questions at: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1051&start=1
Launch Fan - 20/12/2005 11:59 AMQuotebraddock - 20/12/2005 5:33 AMImagine the horrified faces in control if the tank deformation was severe enough to be visible on the video...I can't think how else they would have identified a "structural issue"...does anyone with more experience know if they would have seen other indications first?Would they be likely to have strain sensors installed?Wow, they could see it mis-shaping on their monitors?? Could it have blown up if it had gone too far?
braddock - 20/12/2005 5:33 AMImagine the horrified faces in control if the tank deformation was severe enough to be visible on the video...I can't think how else they would have identified a "structural issue"...does anyone with more experience know if they would have seen other indications first?Would they be likely to have strain sensors installed?
publiusr - 21/12/2005 3:15 PMMusk would not have had the Lox problem. Rumor has it that Musk ignored a plea from MSFC's Sackheim to have better Lox infrastructure. I would have liked to have seen Musk build the big AJ-260 solid in Korea. It would have been a "widebody Stick" and the upper stage could be liquid--and look less like a German Hand Grenade. I understand Atlas V might have some tankage problems as well--at least in tests--according to Florida Today.
braddock - 20/12/2005 12:30 PMQuoteLaunch Fan - 20/12/2005 11:59 AMQuotebraddock - 20/12/2005 5:33 AMImagine the horrified faces in control if the tank deformation was severe enough to be visible on the video...I can't think how else they would have identified a "structural issue"...does anyone with more experience know if they would have seen other indications first?Would they be likely to have strain sensors installed?Wow, they could see it mis-shaping on their monitors?? Could it have blown up if it had gone too far?No no, to be clear, I don't KNOW that they could see the deformation. Note the "if" in there. I was wondering if they could, or if they had other indications of the problem. I was wondering if anyone more experienced could shed some light on how they could tell they had "structural issues".
braddock - 21/12/2005 5:44 PMQuotepubliusr - 21/12/2005 3:15 PMMusk would not have had the Lox problem. Rumor has it that Musk ignored a plea from MSFC's Sackheim to have better Lox infrastructure. I would have liked to have seen Musk build the big AJ-260 solid in Korea. It would have been a "widebody Stick" and the upper stage could be liquid--and look less like a German Hand Grenade. I understand Atlas V might have some tankage problems as well--at least in tests--according to Florida Today.What is the connection between the AJ-260, Korea, and SpaceX? I can't find anything, although the AJ-260 program is fascinating. I always wonder how many of the NASA program decisions are due to geo-politics. We truck and fly the shuttle parts all over the country...that sure can't help the schedules or costs. A monolithic AJ-260 program sounds fantastic, but it only wins a vote from the gentlemen from Florida.
hyper_snyper - 9/1/2006 10:10 AMPossible Feb. 8 launch according to SpaceTransportNews.comObviously, we won't know for sure until something official comes out.
Avron - 26/1/2006 12:57 AMSpacex web site still maintains "The new launch time is February 8 at 4:30 p.m. California time with Feb. 9 as a backup day. "Are we still on? and is there any chance for some video coverage this launch?
braddock - 26/1/2006 11:58 AMQuoteAvron - 26/1/2006 12:57 AMSpacex web site still maintains "The new launch time is February 8 at 4:30 p.m. California time with Feb. 9 as a backup day. "Are we still on? and is there any chance for some video coverage this launch?SpaceX PR just told me that the vehicle should be vertical on the pad about mid next week, and that we should expect an update from Elon around then. Sounds like they are right on schedule.
Avron - 27/1/2006 12:47 AMThanks... Eh any word on video feeds?